DEVELOPERS have vowed to appeal after people power persuaded councillors to reject plans for a new magistrates' court building in New Mills.

Residents cheered and hugged each other as High Peak Council refused planning permission for the courts at an emotionally charged meeting on Monday night.

Around 250 residents packed into New Mills Town Hall to hear the council's development control committee deliver a unanimous refusal of the proposals put forward by London-based development firm Babcock and Brown.

Councillors felt the two-court building - earmarked for next to the town hall on Spring Bank - would cause town centre traffic chaos.

They also believed that the development - designed to replace courts at Buxton and Glossop - was too big and too close to New Mills Primary School and nearby homes.

Some High Peak cases could now be transferred to Derby and Chesterfield or even to Tameside.

Residents had campaigned against the plans for almost three years, forming New Mills Interest Group to collect a 1,000-name petition.

But Babcock and Brown, which had already had to revise its plans after objections from residents and councillors, said it would appeal.

Derbyshire Magistrates' Courts Committee said plans will continue for Derby and Chesterfield courts.

Councillor David Mellor, who proposed the refusal, said that in 21 years he had never had as many letters on an issue.